Re: '57 Packard What-If based on Turnpike Cruiser

Posted by 55PackardGuy On 2012/4/21 14:34:10

Body weight is a tough statistic to get. It depends on factors beyond the sheet metal, including the interior, floor pan, trunk floor, engine weight, etc. If one were rich enough and skilled enough to put this plan into action, I think the most probable first modification would be to shorten the Packard frame to accommodate the shorter trunks of other popular bodies. There seems to be no other reasonable chassis modification due to the full-length torsion bars. The wheelbase, whether junior or senior, would be set in stone,

Moving up from there, I think the body could sit lower on the frame with the aid of new body mounts attached at a lower point. HOWEVER, it's good to remember that the lower edges of the Packard body, rocker panels that is, are NOT responsible for the "highpockets" look, the beltline is just too high. Even the greenhouse is quite low. This look is getting popular again BTW, witness the popularity of the Chrysler bodies of recent years--High beltline, low roofline,

Since it's really the height of the doors and fenders that give the height problem, a body that is "shorter" in these dimensions may even be able to utilize the current body mounting height. Of course, unibodies are out. The floor pan of the Packard could probably be used as is, replacing the rockers with those of the donor body.

Keeping the current greenhouse would be cool, but wouldn't look right with the rounded roof. There is enough of a "dome" shape to the roof that it could be modified by flattening, leaving an attractive square edge along each side. Some windshield modification in the form of a cut-down would probably be needed. Sacrifice to headroom possibly an inch or so, but lowering the seat by the same amount would offset that, or the headliner could be modified as well.

Seats would probably need to be replaced, as cutting down seat height seems a bit more work than it's worth. They could be as much as an inch or more lower and probably still give reasonable hip position. As they are, you're practically sitting in a living room chair. If visibility and steering location are a problem, opt for a new tilt column (it's been done).

Hood clearance may be a problem with the standard air cleaner, but a lower profile design could do the trick. Also, radiator may need to be shortened or replaced with a different style (not too tricky).

I'd prefer to find a donor body that looks good, and lends itself to Packard type mods, such as cathedral style tail lights and a central Packard style grill. One that comes to mind is a late 70's Lincoln Contininental-- but having no data on frame style, wheel base or width, I don't know. A full sized '60s Buick Electra might be just the ticket, but the "slider" ground-hugging effects of these cars required a split driveshaft.

Weight issues are the other factor to consider, as mentioned. I always thought a lighter body might improve "spring" rate, stiffening the ride a bit but maintaining flatter corners. It would be interesting if someone had some stats on running a lightened '55 or '56. Otherwise, it could turn into a "cut and try" exercise of modifying donor body weights.

In any case, this car's Packard identity is more important than its donor's identity, which should be as difficult to determine as possible IMO. It would be a piece-by-piece project that would need to have flexible standards to evolve into whatever it would become. Computer modeling could help take a lot of the guesswork out, but of course, that's money too.

The interior is such a plus for this car that I'd have to recommend leaving it alone as much as possible. Lower seats, but correctly proportioned with high quality materials, steering wheel based on the clean Clipper style, instrument panel pretty much as-is, original pieces used wherever possible.

I think it's a great early retirement project for someone who sold out a successful dotcom.

P.S. One thing that would help discussion is good dimensional drawings or photos of top, bottom and sides of the Packard chassis.